1. Some members were not receiving emails sent from XJbikes.com. For example: "Forgot your password?" function to reset your password would not send email to some members. I believe this has been resolved now. Please use "Contact Us" form (see page footer link) if you still have email issues. SnoSheriff

    Hello Guest. You have limited privileges and you can't "SEARCH" the forums. Please "Log In" or "Sign Up" for additional functionality. Click HERE to proceed.

Straining oil for examination

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by randall68, Aug 2, 2008.

  1. randall68

    randall68 Member

    Messages:
    144
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Because of the ticking problem I decided to look at the oil yesterday. I started by taking a large empty 1 gallon jug for protein powder. ( large lid) I took the lid and cut the top out leaving the round threaded part, then I took two coffee filters and tucked them under the lid circle and screwed it onto the tub/can. Pouring oil into the filter to drain into the can I noticed even more metal shavings...yes shavings that are steel ( magnet will pick them up) left in the filter. These new shavings are about the size of a half of a clipped fingernail. That is if you clip your nails every 2 weeks. I know I saw metal missing from valve cover bottom from the chain (before I got the tension problem fixed) But the valve cover is aluminum and the chain is much much harder than that. Trying to figure out where this metal is coming from. Hope it's not the cycling tick In the top end.
     
  2. kontiki

    kontiki Member

    Messages:
    398
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Piston aircraft engines routinely have their oil analyzed do determine the condition of the engine. In many ways they suffer the same requirements, advantages and shortcomings of motorcycle engines.

    Significant metal shavings showing up in the filter of a Lycoming or Continental engine is called 'making metal' and is a sure sign of problems to come and probably a rebuild. In an aircraft this is critical, you don't want to have engine lose power at 6000 feet. For a motorcycle its less critical... you are already ON the ground. It is a sign however, that the engine is on the back end of its useful life cycle curve.

    Its just less risky to keep driving a motorcycle than flying an airplane that is past its TBO.
     
  3. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

    Messages:
    2,649
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    St. Cloud, Minnesota
    The clicking your hearing from the top end is the valves. Some clicking is normal, so don't get your undies in a bundle over that. In fact, if you don't hear any clicking, you may be out of adjustment. The metal may just be edges of the castings, but I'd keep an eye on it for now.
     
  4. Zookie400

    Zookie400 Active Member

    Messages:
    1,046
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Connecticut
    could it be roller bearing cage material?
     
  5. Torren

    Torren Member

    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Barrie Ontario
    You can get a kit from your local CAT dealer, or truck dealer that sells CAT parts called a SOS kit, Schedual Oil Sampling. I know up here their $30, and come with a sampling vial and a mailing container. You take a sample and put it in the mailing container, fill out the form - name, engine type, miliages and so forth and send it to their lab in the postaged pre-paid container and in about 10 days they will send you a complete analisys of your oil.

    This includes breakdown of all metal components found in the oil and a suggestion of where they might have come from. Ie: copper and lead from bearing wear, or iron and molydednum from ring wear.

    We do it on large trucks as part of regular service. It gives you a good idea of your engines general health. Worth every penny.
     
  6. Zookie400

    Zookie400 Active Member

    Messages:
    1,046
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Connecticut
    i agree that a CAT analysis would tell you what is in your oil, but you said it was a rather large piece correct? the oil analysis is for microscopic particles, fuel/coolant dilution, lubricity rating, and other things you cant see with your eyes. if you have a large piece, or even flakes, i would not bother. you dont need to pay some lab to have them tell you how many PPM of iron you have if you can pick the piece up with your fingers.
     

Share This Page